James and Remus sit together in James’ apartment, playing a board game as they wait for Sirius and Peter to show up.
After a bit, Remus finally says, “where the hell are they?” He sounds annoyed, pulling out his phone and checking it. “Moony, calm down, they’re probably grabbing some things.” James comforts him with a calm voice.
“James, I love you and all, but it does not take 2 hours for them to grab things from the liquor store.”
“Maybe it’s busy today?”
“The place they go to is never busy, dumbass.”
“Don’t call me a dumbass!” James cries, slapping Remus on the arm.
“Dumbass,” he smiles softly. James frowns, leaning back before going forward and moving one of his pawns to one of Remus’s. He puts his hands up in celebration. “I got one!” He sings, dancing around.
Remus has a fond smile on his face. “I’m still better at chess.” James stops dancing and looks over at him. “At least I’m better at expressing my feelings.” He grins, knowing this always makes Remus surrender. “And you and Regulus?” He responds with instead, James feels his cheeks heat up.
“Shut up.” He mumbles.
—
The cool air blows in Regulus’s face, the corner of his paper blowing up occasionally from the fall air. Barty sighs beside him, Evan’s head resting on the raven-haired boy's lap. “Fall is sooo boring. Can it be winter already?” Barty complains, Regulus scoffs. “You complain about every season being boring and how you want winter to come, and when it finally does you complain about it being too cold.” He replies, setting his paper back into one of his folders.
“Fall is boring, though! At least it’s Christmas when it’s winter.” Barty argues, Evan laughing quietly below him. “You hate Christmas, Barty.” He says. Barty slaps his head. “No I don’t!” He whines.
“Do.”
“Don’t.”
“Do.”
“Don’t.”
“Do.”
“Don-”
“Can you two shut up already?!” Regulus shouts, Barty and Evans eyes snapping back to him. “Why are you in a mood, Reggie?” Barty asks, wrapping his arm around Regulus’s shoulder. “Is this about Jamie boy again?” Regulus looks away, blushing.
“Reg, I love you and all, but he’s never going to like you.” Evan claims. “Hey, don’t say that.” Barty frowns, slapping Evans' head lightly.
Regulus frowns as well, “he’s right, though. James has the fattest crush on Evans, since they were like, kids.” He admits, shaking Barty’s arm off.
—
Emmeline listens to the indistinct sound of her TV playing as she makes cookies. It’s nearing Halloween, so she’s hosting a party for all of her friends. She’s not the best at baking, so she’s currently watching a YouTube video on how long she should wait on it when she gets a call on her landline.
The girl walks over to the phone, clearly confused as she answers it. “Hello?” She says, leaning against the kitchen counter. “Hello.” Says a deep voice on the other end. Emmeline scowls. “Is this some sort of prank?” She asks, moving forward to rest her elbows on the kitchen island. Emmeline has watched way too many scary movies to be scared of some stupid thing like this.
“If you heard a knock on your door would you think this is a prank?” Is what the voice on the other end says.
“Obviously.” She scoffs, rolling her eyes.
A knock on her door makes her yelp before she relaxes. “Mary, if you’re messing with me right now, I swear to god.” She accuses the person on the other line. The voice laughs.
“This isn’t Mary.” Is what they say, and Emmeline would never admit the fact that a chill runs down her spine. “Stop messing with me, M.” She frowns, moving over to check through her peephole.
It takes a little for the voice to answer, which gives her time to double check the locks on her door are even locked, and also time to close her curtains.
“That’s not going to do anything.” The deep voice startles her, making her let out a soft gasp she quickly swallows. “Are you and Marlene messing with me? This isn’t funny, Mary.” She asks, trying to keep her voice calm.
She hates the fact she doesn’t sound calm.
There’s a knock at her window, which makes her yelp again and hang up the call as she pulls out her actual phone to call Marlene.
It takes a few seconds but the other girl answers. “Yes, Emmeline? What’s wrong? Did you burn down the house?” Says a teasing voice, which makes Emmeline mad. “Whatever prank you’re doing on me isn’t funny.” She says through gritted teeth, looking around with wide eyes.
“What? I’m not doing anything. I’m with Dorcas right now.” Marlene says honestly, voice confused. “No, drop the act. It’s not funny.” Emmeline frowns. Marlene sounds even more confused when she says, “I’m being serious, Em. I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes you do. How did you get a voice changer on a landline?” She asks, sitting down on her couch as her hands start shaking. “I don’t even own a landline, Emmeline. Are you okay? Seriously, though, I’m not lying.” Marlene sounds worried now.
Emmeline is about to respond when she hears a door click and she whispers into the phone, “Marls, call 911. Now. Please.” Her voice is shaky as a tear drips down her face. It can’t be Barty trying to prank her, since she knows he’s with Regulus and Evan, and she knows Pandora would never take a prank this far.
Lily’s with Pandora, she knows that, too. James is obviously with Sirius, Remus, or Peter.
Marlene just stated she was with Dorcas, so not them either. Narcissa, Emmeline knows enough that she wouldn’t do this, Bellatrix, maybe, but she wouldn’t go this far either.
There’s no more options to think through when she feels a knife go through her back.
—
Marlene sits in front of Emmeline’s shredded up body, blood is all over the carpet as the police ask her questions.
Dorcas is answering them for her, which thank God, because Marlene can’t take her eyes off the body currently being covered up. Tears fall down her face, washing off her makeup as she watches the body being taken away and the blood left over being cleaned up.
But the blood can’t wash out her perfectly white carpet, or her perfectly white couch, or be washed out her perfectly perfect body.
If only Marlene noticed sooner, maybe if she noticed the fear in Emmeline’s voice sooner, maybe if she begged for the police to get there sooner, she could’ve saved her best friend.
Dorcas is holding her tightly as she whispers comforting words into her ear that she doesn’t understand. She knows she’s shaking, she knows she can barely breath, and she knows Emmeline Vance is dead, and it’s her fault.
She knows she wouldn’t have been able to save her anyways. She knows that, too.
“Emmeline died?” James asks, pulling Marlene into his arms, which she melts into. “Yeah.” She can’t recognize her own voice, shaky and raw from her crying. “I’m so sorry, Marls. I’m sorry.” He comforts, his hand running through her hair as Sirius rubs her arm.
Regulus is there, too. It’s clear he’s fighting off tears, the thought that he’d never admit he liked Emmeline makes her laugh softly, but it’s cut off with another sob as she runs forward to hug Regulus.
He tenses up but relaxes as he hugs her back, releasing a small cry.
“I’m sorry, Mckinnon, I shouldn’t be crying.” He says through sobs, his head on her shoulder. “I know you two were close.” Marlene frowns, wiping away her tears. “You can cry, too, baby Black.”
Regulus pulls away and scowls. “I thought I said to stop calling me that.” Marlene laughs. “Baby Black.” Regulus’s scowl grows, moving away from Marlene.
“I will find a way to make Dorcas break up with you.” He says teasingly, making Marlene gasp dramatically. She knows it’s bad to hide her real feelings, but at least Regulus is comforting her without knowing it. “You wouldn’t! You love me too much.”
Regulus side-eyes her, but doesn’t deny it.